Luxembourg is a small but wealthy European country nestled between Belgium, Germany, and France. Its high quality of life, stable economy, central location, and business-friendly laws make Luxembourg citizenship an appealing option for many people. This guide covers everything you need to know about obtaining citizenship in Luxembourg.
Requirements for Luxembourg Citizenship
Luxembourg has strict requirements for granting citizenship centered around legal residence, integration, language skills, and more:
Table of Contents
– Legal Residence
– Must have legally lived in Luxembourg for at least 5 years
– Time as a student or diplomat counts at 50% rate
– Permanent residency status required
– Integration
– Pass civil knowledge exam covering Luxembourg history, culture, and values
– Attend mandatory citizenship classes on rights and responsibilities
– Language
– Demonstrate proficiency in Luxembourgish in speaking and writing
– Additionally require competence in French or German
– Oath of Allegiance
– Swear oath declaring loyalty and allegiance to the Grand Duke and obedience to laws of Luxembourg
– Renouncement
– Must renounce current citizenship, unless exemption criteria applies
– Clean Criminal Record
– Cannot have any criminal convictions on record
– Fingerprinting and background checks conducted
Benefits of Luxembourg Citizenship
Gaining Luxembourg citizenship gives you access to many benefits, including:
– Luxembourg Passport https://luxtoday.lu/en/knowledge/luxembourg-passport
– Visa-free travel to over 180 countries and territories
– Voting Rights
– Can vote in parliamentary and communal elections
– Government Employment
– Eligibility for civil service and government jobs
– Education and Healthcare
– Access to free or low-cost state education and healthcare
– Residency Rights
– Unrestricted right to live, work, and own property in Luxembourg
– Stable Economy
– Citizenship in a wealthy country with very high GDP per capita
Citizenship Application Process
If you meet the eligibility criteria, follow this step-by-step guide for applying for Luxembourg citizenship:
1. Ensure Legal Residence
– Have lived legally in Luxembourg for 5 years
2. Register Application
– File application with Ministry of Justice
3. Submit Required Documents
– Birth certificate
– Exhaustive residence certificates
– Passport copies
– Proof of address
– Tax clearance
4. Complete Exams and Classes
– Pass civil orientation exam in Luxembourgish
– Finish mandatory courses
5. Obtain Criminal Record Extract
– Request international background check
6. Make Payment
– Pay application fees
7. Attend Committee Hearing
– Interview to present application
8. Receive Response
– Ministry decision within 8 months
9. Attend Naturalization Ceremony
– Upon approval, participate in ceremony
– Take loyalty oath
– Receive citizenship certificate
The process takes around a year with sufficient preparation. Consulting an immigration professional can help ensure a smooth application. With some dedication to learning Luxembourgish and integrating into the culture, permanent citizenship is an achievable objective in this small but unique European country.
Source: https://luxtoday.lu/en/knowledge/how-to-obtain-citizenship-in-luxembourg